NPA seeks joint action on port corridor challenges

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is initiating a collaborative effort with stakeholders to tackle persistent challenges that impede the ease of doing business within the port corridor. Managing Director Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho announced plans to find lasting solutions to issues affecting port access roads and operational efficiency.

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Find lasting solutions to peculiar problems along the port corridor in Apapa and Tincan.

During a stakeholders' engagement meeting, Dantsoho identified overlapping jurisdictions as a significant hurdle. He noted instances where both the Maritime Police and the Lagos State Police Command operate, sometimes leading to clashes and inefficiencies. "Find lasting solutions to peculiar problems along the port corridor in Apapa and Tincan," he stated, acknowledging problems extending beyond the immediate port vicinity.

Stakeholders have reached agreements on streamlining collaboration among various agencies. The objective is to create a smoother operational environment, free from the extortion and delays frequently experienced by importers and exporters. "We have already committed ourselves to ensuring that we create a very sweet and more environmentally acceptable standard so that the emphasis will be that we are going to function and then function better in our practices so we can do better than our neighbouring countries," Dantsoho said.

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We have already committed ourselves to ensuring that we create a very sweet and more environmentally acceptable standard so that the emphasis will be that we are going to function and then function better in our practices so we can do better than our neighbouring countries.

Assistant Inspector-General of Police for Maritime, Okunade Ronke, emphasized the need for joint action. "On the issue of the overlap jurisdiction, we have been able to agree that we are going to form a task force between the Lagos State, the NPA, and all the stakeholders so that we can get a smooth operation around the port authority environment," she explained. The NPA aims to leverage these improvements to solidify Nigeria's position as the premier port hub in West and Central Africa.

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On the issue of the overlap jurisdiction, we have been able to agree that we are going to form a task force between the Lagos State, the NPA, and all the stakeholders so that we can get a smooth operation around the port authority environment.